Category: Hopelines

A Time for Prayer 

By:Andrew Lang

Have you ever felt like there’s not enough time to do everything you need to do?

With 4 kids, a couple jobs and a house to build there’s no end to the demands on my time.  On our staff prayer retreat this year we discussed “the ruthless elimination of hurry” and the line that stuck out to me the most was… “are you too busy to follow Jesus?”. 

In ministry it’s easy to get busy doing things for God that you forget to spend time with him. Or we get caught going through the motions and not connecting on the level that we so desperately need. 

As you read through and pray over the staff of Living Hope, pray that we would connect with Jesus each day, that our hearts would be filled to overflowing with his love and That we would be able to say to those that we are interacting with, follow me as I follow Jesus. 

Miracles and Answered Prayer
By Rodney Martin, Thunder Bay

Miracles. When it comes to miracles in the Bible, we often see an event or situation that involves a powerful move or a powerful display of God’s power. The display often surpasses our natural laws or understanding. These miracles are extraordinary occurrences that can only be explained and attributed to the supernatural work of God. Whenever God does miracles in the Bible, it is to reveal Himself: His character, His love, and His purposes to us.
Miracles can provide evidence of God’s power and presence to the world and demonstrate His authority and love on behalf of His servants. A miracle can be performed directly by God or through His servants. Other words used to describe God’s miracles in the bible are signs and wonders (often used together), powers, and mighty works. And quite often, as believers, we share these testimonies of God’s miracles to encourage one another.

Partnership

Living Hope hired Rodney Martin in August as Public Relations Director. He is originally from Constance Lake and pastored in Sachigo Lake for a time. His contribution to the organization is invaluable. Here is his perspective on partnership: 

What does partnership look like? The question when posed seemed to baffle me, because it was something I never really thought about. So when I looked up the definition, this is what I found: A partnership consists of two or more people who combine their resources for a greater purpose.

And that was when I began to feel very uncomfortable. “Two people combine their resources…” What could I, as a First Nation person, possibly bring to the table that has any value? My native mindset is telling me, “this will be a very unbalanced, one sided partnership.” (Kind of like my partnership with Christ…but that’s another topic.) But if I’m honest, in my mind this will seem more like a white dominated partnership where once again I’m defaulted to live on handouts and sympathy, having made no real contribution to this relationship.

Discipleship – Is It Happening?

By Mary Keesic

One of the values of Living Hope Native Ministries is to develop local churches that disciple believers to learn and grow in faith and in their knowledge of Jesus. Why is discipleship important? In our busy world, is discipleship happening?

By definition, a disciple is a learner, a follower of Jesus. He is teachable and in training by instruction and exercise to grow into a mature believer. Jesus said in Matthew 29:19, “Go…and make disciples of all the nations”.

A quarterly publication presenting news and stories of Living Hope Native Ministries, a partnership dedicated to serving the First Nations of Ontario. Several informational evenings were held in Pennsylvania and Delaware at the end of June. Stuart and Delores Swartzentruber and Jeff and Mary Kirkpatrick shared ministry updates, and connected with interested supporters while enjoying…
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A quarterly publication presenting news and stories of Living Hope Native Ministries, a partnership dedicated to serving the First Nations of Ontario.

Do you feel called to share God’s love with children and teens? Two communities have openings for people who are willing to serve by assisting with established ministries for young people.

Two churches are looking for people to join them in serving and strengthening the local fellowship of believers. The ideal candidate is willing to serve, learn from, and care for the church in a small town setting.

Legacies of Hope and Purpose

In Memory of Goyce Kakegamic and Jim Keesic

By Merle Nisly

Even while we commit our ways and our days into God’s hands, sometimes we are forced to make drastic changes to our plans and to our perspective on the future.

December 2021 has brought into sharp focus the reality of death and the uncertainties about the plans we make for ourselves and for our families. Within a week, two elders who were dear friends of ours left their spouses, families, and communities grieving their sudden passing.

It makes us wonder if, or when, our plans for life and for family will be altered just as suddenly. Would I adapt and embrace the new outlook in similar circumstances?